We Can and Will Endure

Below is a small history of some of the persecution that was endured by my Great, Great, Great Grandpa Keller. (I may have too many greats in there but hopefully you understand.) His name was Alva Keller. He joined the church on December 5, 1835 in New York. At one point he was a home teacher to Joseph Smith Sr.

This was written by his granddaughter, Alberta Hentzie. Oh how I would love to have his journal.

The Saints were put to the test as to the test as to what was best for them to do. About this time Alva found himself surrounded by a group of stern faced men, but his faith in the Lord never wavered as he heard one man say to him, “Are you Alva Keller?”
He answered, “I am.”
“Are you a Mormon?”
“I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.”
“You can call them what you will. You came to Nauvoo and built yourself a good home and you are prospering. If you will renounce Joseph Smith for the cheat that he is, you will be allowed and stay and raise your family in peace and be one of us. If you refuse, you will be driven out and we will persecute you as we will all the Mormons.”
Without hesitation Alva answered, “Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God. I would rather die than deny that which I know to be true.” That was the testimony of my grandfather and that testimony remained with him all his life and all down through these many years that testimony remains a challenge to us. What would have been our answer under similar conditions?

I hope that this will give us strength to handle what is a head of us. I have found strength in reading this history and a new hope. Though we are faced with persecution we have not had our lives threatened or has our families. We must remember that we are fighting for a worthy cause, our families and the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. As times get more difficult I want my posterity to know that I have never doubted my testimony of the gospel. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of his children and that we are here to show love to all of his children. And sometimes it is tough love but love is all the same. I hope that through my example I can emulate the love of God our Father. Please remember the love and faith of our ancestors who sacrificed beyond measure for us to practice our beliefs as we want.